The San Juan County Sherriff’s Office has said that there has been a large increase in the number of ID thefts of the past couple of weeks. Several people have reported that their bank account numbers have been used to make phony checks that have been cashed in the Snohomish County area for hundreds of dollars in merchandise.

According to Sergeant Steve Vierthaler, the suspects appear to be going to high volume stores such as Fred Meyers, Lowes and Safeway to purchase miscellaneous items. Both Key and Islanders Bank accounts have been involved in the thefts. The Sheriffs Office has asked that anyone with any information contact them at 378-4151.